Federal prosecutors have intensified their case against Rodney Burton, widely known online as “Bitcoin Rodney”, adding new criminal counts that raise the stakes dramatically for the influencer tied to the alleged $1.8 billion HyperFund Ponzi scheme.
A superseding indictment filed on December 13, 2025, now puts Burton at risk of spending decades in prison if convicted on all charges.
An Expanded Set of Federal Charges
The latest indictment, returned in the U.S. District Court in Maryland, outlines 11 total charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Two counts of wire fraud
- Seven counts of money laundering
- Operating an unlicensed money transmitting business
Prosecutors say Burton and several co-conspirators promoted HyperFund and its successor platforms as high-yield crypto investment opportunities promising 0.5% to 1% daily returns from large-scale mining operations. According to the indictment, those operations never existed, and the platforms began blocking investor withdrawals as early as 2021.
The government alleges that Burton personally collected over $7.85 million from investors and spent the funds on luxury purchases, including real estate, sports cars, and a yacht.
Legal Position and Defense Claims
Burton has been held in pretrial detention for more than 22 months, and his trial is currently scheduled for March 2026.
His legal team maintains that he was an unknowing participant, arguing he was misled by alleged HyperFund co-founder Sam Lee, who has not been located by U.S. authorities.
According to his attorneys, Burton conducted what he believed was due diligence, including international trips to meet Lee in Hong Kong and Dubai, and thought he was operating within a legitimate business structure.
Co-defendant and HyperFund promoter Brenda Chunga, known as “Bitcoin Beautee,” has already pleaded guilty to related charges. Sam Lee remains at large.
Severe Penalties if Convicted
The potential consequences for Burton are substantial:
- Up to 20 years for each wire fraud and conspiracy count
- Up to 10 years for each money laundering count
- Up to 5 years for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business
If the court imposes consecutive sentences, Burton could face multiple decades in federal prison.
As the March 2026 trial approaches, the case continues to highlight the legal risks surrounding unregistered crypto investment programs and influencer-led promotions that target retail investors.
